VNN announces open call for Indian Country Chatbot testers

Story Snapshot 📷 Verified News Network (VNN) has developed an AI-powered chatbot trained on Indigenous-led sources to combat misinformation affecting Native communities. Paid testers are now being recruited to evaluate its accuracy and usability, with support from the JournalismAI Innovation Challenge and Google News Initiative. 

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(TULSA, Okla.) Despite launching only a few years ago, generative artificial chatbots like ChatGPT continue to transform industries, particularly those linked to information services. 

But, this latest wave of technology is not without controversy, especially relating to how this information is obtained and how it is delivered. 

Verified News Network (VNN) began development of its own AI-powered chatbot to combat misinformation and disinformation impacting Native communities last December. This month, the open call went out for both Native and non-Native people to test it out. 

VNN Founder and President Kelly Tidwell (Muscogee and Cherokee) said any way VNN can simplify access to accurate and culturally respectful information is a win for Native communities.

“For too long, non-Indigenous people have gotten information about Native history, governments, and cultures from other non-Indigenous people,” Tidwell said. “This chatbot is an easy way for non-Indigenous people to educate themselves in a conversational way.”

The chatbot is being trained on VNN Oklahoma and affiliate articles as well as Indigenous partner sources and dedicated content created by Indigenous authors. 

Topics at the forefront include: sovereignty, treaties, history, and scams.

“There is so much misinformation and disinformation swirling around about and within Native communities,” Tidwell said. ”It’s hard to know what information to trust. By creating an AI chatbot trained exclusively on Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led sources of information, we will be able to combat misinformation and disinformation in a new and innovative way.”

Each Indian Country Chatbot tester will be asked to spend about 30 to 45 minutes testing the app and taking notes on their observations. 

Testers are required to ask at least five questions and then provide feedback on how the chatbot responds. 

With limited spots available, those who participate will receive $50 upon verified completion. 

If you are interested in applying to be a tester, you can sign up here. 

Tidwell said he looks forward to launching this product and receiving feedback from community members.

“My background is technology,” said Tidwell. “Receiving this opportunity has been a great way to put my skills to task for my tribe, and all the tribes.”

This project is made possible thanks to the JournalismAI Innovation Challenge, supported by the Google News Initiative. Learn more about the Innovation Challenge here.